cytochrome oxidase

noun

: an iron-porphyrin enzyme important in cellular respiration due to its ability to catalyze the oxidation of reduced cytochrome c in the presence of oxygen

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The mitochondria needs a specific enzyme called cytochrome oxidase to make this possible. —

Meg Neal, Popular Mechanics, 4 Oct. 2020 In practice, this has meant focusing on the cytochrome oxidase I gene, which has been found to be dissimilar-enough across fish species that it can be used to distinguish one species from another. —

Chase Purdy, Quartz, 5 Nov. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cytochrome oxidase.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of cytochrome oxidase was in 1942

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Dictionary Entries Near cytochrome oxidase

cytochrome c

cytochrome oxidase

cytochylema

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Cytochrome oxidase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cytochrome%20oxidase. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

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Medical Definition

cytochrome oxidase

noun

: an iron-porphyrin enzyme important in cellular respiration because of its ability to catalyze the oxidation of reduced cytochrome c in the presence of oxygen